Shinjuku Thief - The Witch Hammer (1993)

The Australian Darrin Verhagen is the man behind this classic gothic industrial album that pays homage to the German expressionist films of the 1920's and supernatural horror from the 1500's. The music consists of dark orchestral timbres set into rich soundscapes, interspersed with outbursts of violence and power. Verhagen uses many classical instruments, but sampled vocals and electronics modernise the sound. With a very unique sound and structure, this may not appeal to everyone. I saw him live on a Cold Meat Industry festival, and it struck me how oddly he fitted into the rest, his music being quite remote from 'noise'.

This album seems to represent the first part of a trilogy, the next two being: The Witch Hunter (1995) and The Witch Haven (2002).

Tracks

1. Tolkhorn (4:53)
2. Waltz Of The Midwives (2:42)
3. The Witch Hammer (1:57)
4. Smell of Nightfall (3:25)
5. A Midnight Mass (4:05)
6. Wolfzahn (4:52)
7. Poena Damni (6:40)
8. Trespassing the Gates (3:36)
9. The Darkened Psalm (3:23)
10. Totenheer (5:00)
11. Burkhardt of Worms (2:17)
12. Flight of the Screech Owls (3:55)
13. Warm as Blood beneath the Clouds (5:08)
14. In the Path of Walpurga's Ashes (5:46)

Shinjuku Thief - The Witch Hammer.rar

posted by Paxjorge @ Sunday, April 02, 2006